Changes to the education act means more responsibility on student for their actions.

Amendments to the education act came into effect on Sept. 1, meaning the division needed to update their policy to comply. There has been a change of language around parent and student responsibility, using a student code of conduct.

“The education act is very clear in providing that these are the students responsibilities to follow. That is mirrored in the parents responsibilities section,” said deputy superintendent Mark Francis.

Students are required to follow nine guidelines, such as regularly and punctually attending school, actively engaging, respecting the rights of others, complying with school rulesand ensuring their conduct contributes to a welcoming caring and respectful learning environment.

The code also focusses specifically on refraining from and reporting any bullying that is seen going on in between students in the school, whether the incident happens at school or elsewhere.

Under the amendments, both a teacher or principal may suspend a student if they believe they have not complied with the code of conduct. A suspension will also be given out for any action that is injurious to the physical or mental well being of others in the school.

“Teachers may also remove children for a single class and that is considered a suspension,” said Francis.

A teacher may suspend a student for one class period while the principal reserves the right to suspenda student from one or more class periods, from transportation, or from school or any school related activity.

If a student is suspended from school, the principal is required to immediately inform the parents of the suspension, before comprising a written report with all of the details of the incident. A suspension may not exceed five school days, unless in accordance with recommendation for expulsion.

With all of their alternative resources, Johnson said expulsion is not something the division will be looking at.

“A suspension in the old language really meant absence from school or from the school or the bus. New language dictates that will also include all in-school activities,” said Francis.

In preparation for the changes, PSD administration had been ensuring schools had a clear way to share data on suspensions. All suspensions are submitted to the deputy superintendent for review.

Suspensions will be tracked according to school, infraction type and length. The information will be put into an annual report for administration to review. Serious incidents or repeat infractions are referred to the deputy superintendent for a disciplinary hearing.

Francis added there may be a perceived increase in the number of suspensions the division hands out due to the updated reporting guidelines.

“Sometimes a simple look at numbers might not be what we think it is. The other point is enforcement and what we’re focussing on,” said Francis. “If we start a bullying initiative at the school, we’ll actually see an increase in it at our school. It’s not because there’s more bullying, it’s because we’re now paying attention to it and kids are reporting it.

More than 700 suspensions were handed out 2018-19, which is equal to a total of 6.7 per cent of the division’s population. Johnson added that figure is actually smaller when taking repeat offenders into consideration. PSD did not present figures for the previous year. This is an increase of 28.5 per cent.